PRINCE William has penned a letter of thanks to mountain rescue volunteers involved in the search for April Jones.

The RAF Search and Rescue pilot praised the “unbelievable perseverance, grit and sheer hard work” of the rescuers who helped with the search for the missing five-year-old, BBC Wales reports.

April went missing in Machynlleth on October 1 and police continue to look for the little girl.

In his letter the Duke of Cambridge wrote: “I am time and again made to feel so proud and so humbled by our rescue teams - the lengths you go to in your work, your commitment and dedication to the job, and your extraordinary professionalism.

“This was as evident as ever in the recent search for little April Jones, who was so awfully taken away from her family.

“These high profile cases are just a reminder to us all of what the mountain rescue teams do day in, day out.

“I am sure that the search for April must have been the hardest of its kind.

“I know that you did everything in your power to find her.

“I cannot commend you highly enough for your unbelievable perseverance, grit and sheer hard work - we are all so lucky to have people like you in our communities.”

Both in his role as a pilot and the royal patron of the Mountain Rescue England and Wales charity the Prince, based at RAF Valley, on Anglesey, enjoys a close relationship with the rescue volunteers.

Dion Jones, one of the call-out co-ordinators with the Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, told the BBC the letter was very much appreciated.

He said: “It's a privilege when someone so important looks at what we do and realises the dedication and commitment involved.

“It was a very difficult situation and I estimated that we put in about 600 man-hours from the Tuesday night until the following Sunday.

“Some of the lads took time off work so they could take part in the search.”

Mark Bridger, 46, is charged with abduction and murder, and will appear in court in January.